Front mounted rotary hay rake

ABSTRACT

A rotary type rake having a plurality of finger wheel rotary raking elements mounted on a frame and movable thereon from one to the other of a raking position to rake material on the ground into a windrow and a retracted raised traveling position. The frame is partly supported by a pair of caster wheel assemblies that are disposed in spaced apart relation with respect to one another and a distal end of the frame which connects securely to a front end loader mounted on a tractor. Oscillatory movement of the caster wheel assemblies is restrained by a brake acting on the shaft of the caster wheel assembly by which it is mounted on the frame.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/800,183 filed on May 12, 2006 and is incorporated herein in itsentirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to rotary hay rakes of the type pushedby a tractor unit to form a windrow that is picked up by a baler beingdrawn behind the tractor and more particularly to an improved hay rake,attachment thereof to the tractor unit and to an improved caster wheelassembly.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Rakes, having a plurality of finger wheels mounted on a cross beam, forsweeping material into a windrow are well known and by way of examplereference maybe had to the following U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,198 Issued Jan.15, 1980 to H. Sligter, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,772 issued May 24, 1994to C. Tonutt. These rakes have a cross beam supported by a pair ofground engaging wheels and a draw bar that extends forwardly from thecross beam. The draw bar can be hooked up to a tractor and towedthereby.

There are some rakes of the foregoing type that are mounted on thetractor at or proximate the front thereof. The rake maybe fixed to afront end loader mounted on the tractor. Reference maybe had to thefollowing U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,063 issued Jun. 28, 1988 to G. Buck andU.S. Pat. No. 5,966,916 issued Oct. 19, 1999 to M Laing.

It is also known to have the rake located at the front of the vehicle soas to sweep the material on the ground into a windrow that is picked upby a machine, for example a baler, being towed behind the tractor. Thiscombines raking and baling of raked material into a single operation.Reference may be had to the following Canadian Patent 1.066,068 issuedNov. 13, 1979 to W. C. Hering and U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,428 issued Jul.29, 1980 to R. Caraway and U.S. Pat. No. 5,987,964 issued Nov. 23, 1999to H. Lutz.

The front mounted rake maybe fixedly secured to the tractor whereby itchanges direction simultaneously with any directional changes thetractor may make while moving. The rakes are conventionally supported bycaster wheels that are in rolling engagement with the ground and anychange in the direction of travel results in the caster wheel assemblypivoting about its pivotal connection to the frame of the rake suchpivotal movement being about a generally vertical axis. This is thenormal function of a caster wheel. There are however numerous occasionswhen the wheel assembly becomes unstable and will oscillate back andforth ‘hunting’ or ‘searching’ for a stable position. This movement ismost undesirable as it induces vibrations resulting in abnormal wear andtear on the machine as well as on the caster wheel assembly.

Hunting movement of a caster wheel referred to in the forgoing ispronounced in instances where the caster wheels are being pushed as isthe case with the rake mounted on the leading end of the tractor andpushed by the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Typically a wheel rake or bar rake is used to collect mowed hay by thesweeping action of a plurality of wheels or in alternate rakeembodiments, bars attached to end wheels, both having tines disposed atselected positions therearound wherein the rake wheels or bars extendsoutwardly several feet and include a plurality of rake teeth which rakethe hay into a row often rolling the hay during the process forming atwisted roll which facilities pickup by a feed section of a hay balerwhich compresses the hay into square or round bales. New hay balersoften have an open throat design and have a feed pickup of more thanthree feet wide and typically as much as six feet wide so that they canaccommodate large wind rows of hay. The conventional process requiresthe hay be cut or mowed by a tractor pulling or using a mounted mowerwhere it is allowed to dry to a processable condition usually takingfrom 1 to 3 days. A tractor is then used to pull a wheel rake or barrake to rake the hay into a windrow of desired size. Another tractor isused to pull a square or round baler to pick up and bale the windrows ofhay.

The present invention provides a means to mount one or more, typically apair of hay rakes, to a frame which utilizes a quick disconnect platefor cooperatively engaging a corresponding frame or plate of a loadermounted onto the tractor. This arrangement provides a means for quickconnection and the ability to lift the rake over uneven terrain or raisethe rake into a parked or transport position.

One preferred embodiment utilizes a rotary type rake having a pluralityof finger wheel rotary raking elements mounted on a frame and movablethereon from one to the other of a raking position to rake material onthe ground into a windrow and a retracted raised traveling position. Theframe is partly supported by a pair of caster wheel assemblies that aredisposed in spaced apart relation with respect to one another and adistal end of the frame which connects securely to a front end loadermounted on a tractor. Oscillatory movement of the caster wheelassemblies is restrained by a brake acting on the shaft of the casterwheel assembly by which it is mounted on the frame.

The above referenced preferred embodiment of the present inventionutilizes a longitudinal frame having a removable attachment platemounting to a tractor loader and includes a pair of side arms or boomshaving a plurality of raking wheels extending therefrom which can bepositioned at a selected angle in front to tractor in order toaccumulate and rake hay into a central windrow which can be straddled bythe tractor supporting the loader and baled in a hay baler being pulledbehind the same raking tractor.

This arrangement eliminates a complete cycle of raking the hay thenbaling the hay resulting in a savings in time and fuel.

Moreover, an important feature of the present invention is a brakemechanism installed on the rake caster wheel assemblies supporting therake frame in order to prevent the rake support wheels from wobbling.

It is anticipated that structural members and the wheel caster brake kitcould be utilized as a kit to retrofit conventional trail rakes.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a caster wheelassembly for the forgoing use with a braking mechanism that reduces theaforementioned unwanted hunting.

A further object is to provide a braking mechanism as in the forgoingand which is adjustable to selectively vary the braking force thatresists the pivotal movement of the caster wheel assembly.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a finger wheelhay rake that incorporates the forgoing improved caster wheel assembliesand such a hay rake that attaches to the front of a tractor so as to bepushed by the same.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provideda rotary type rake comprising a rigid, generally horizontally disposed,frame assembly, rotary raking elements mounted on said frame and beingmoveable from one to the other of a raking position to rake material onthe ground into a windrow and a retracted raised traveling position, apair of caster wheel assemblies supporting a portion of said frame anddisposed in spaced apart relation with respect to one another, saidframe having a distal end remote from said wheel assemblies, couplingmeans on said distal end of said frame detachably securing the same to afront end portion of a tractor unit, and means restraining oscillatorymovement of the caster wheel assemblies as the rake travels during usethereof.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a rotary type rake comprising: a rigid, generally horizontallydisposed, frame assembly with coupling means on a distal thereof fordetachably securing the same to a front end loader mounted on a tractor,rotary raking elements mounted on said frame and being moveable from oneto the other of a raking position to rake material on the ground into awindrow and a raised retracted traveling position, a pair of framesupporting caster wheel assemblies supporting said frame on the groundand being disposed in spaced apart relation with respect to one anotherand the distal end of said frame, said caster wheel assemblies beingpivotally mounted on the frame for pivotal movement about a generallyvertical axis and braking means providing a force resisting pivotalmovement of the caster wheel assemblies about their respective verticalaxes.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a caster wheel assembly for use on an implement, said casterwheel assembly including a fork having a ground engaging wheel journalled thereon, a shaft projecting upwardly from said fork, a housingfixedly securable to a frame portion of said implement, means pivotallymounting said stem on said housing for pivotal movement about agenerally vertical axis when the assembly is located in situ on theimplement and braking means providing a force resisting pivotal movementof the caster wheel assembly about said generally vertical axis.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will beapparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic oblique side view of a tractor having a hayrake mounted on the front of the tractor and a hay baler being drawnbehind the tractor;

FIG. 2 is a front elevatioal view of the tractor and hay rake shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an oblique view illustrating a portion of the rake frameattached to the leading of the front end loader on the tractor;

FIG. 4 is an oblique view on a larger scale of a portion of one of thetwo caster wheels that supports the frame of the rake with modificationthereto provided in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but taken from a different angle andshowing the upper portion of the two caster wheel assemblies with thefurthest one having the internal mechanism omitted that applies a forceresisting pivotal movement of the caster wheel about its vertical axis;

FIG. 6 is an oblique view of the internal braking mechanism omitted fromthe one caster wheel assembly in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an exploded oblique view of the mechanism illustrated in FIG.6;

FIG. 8 is an elevational part sectional view of a modified arrangementof a mechanism that preforms the same function as the brake mechanismillustrated in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7;

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a tractor 100 having a front endloader 101 on which there is securely attached a rotary type rake 200. Amachine 300 is drawn behind the tractor to process the material rakedinto a windrow by the rake as the machine proceeds in the forwarddirection.

The rake 200 has a rigid frame that includes a pair of laterally spacedapart elongate beam 201, 202 with a plate 203 fixedly secured thereto atthe distal end thereof (see FIG. 3). This is the trailing end of theframe. The plate is detachably and securely fastened to a front portion102 of the tractor front end loader 101 for example by a plurality ofstuds or bolt and nut units.204. The trailing end of he frame issuitably reinforced by members 205 and an adjustable leg 206 is providedto support that frame end portion on the ground when the rake is not inuse.

A pair of sub-frame assemblies 207, 208 are pivotally mounted on therigid frame and each has a plurality of finger wheels 209 pivotallymounted thereon in spaced apart relation relative to one another. Thesub-frames are movable by suitable power means from one position toanother where in one position the finger wheels are in a lowered workingposition (FIG. 2) and in the other they are in a raised retracted travelposition.

The rake projects forwardly from the tractor and proximate the leadingend of frame members 201, 202 there is a cross beam 210. A pair oflaterally spaced apart struts 212, 213 are fixedly secured to the crossbeam 210 and project forwardly therefrom.

Caster wheel assemblies 220, 230 support the frame and are connected torespective struts 213, 212 by pivot means having a substantiallyvertical pivot axis. With the rake frame being fixedly secured to thetractor the rake changes direction simultaneously with any directionalchanges the tractor may make while moving and with the caster wheelsdisposed in rolling engagement with the ground any change in thedirection of travel results in the caster wheel assemblies pivotingabout the vertical axis associated therewith. This is the normalfunction of a caster wheel. There are however numerous occasions whenthe caster wheel assembly becomes unstable and will oscillate back andforth about the vertically disposed pivot axis and this oscillatorymovement is herein referred to as ‘hunting’ or ‘searching’. This huntingmovement of the caster wheel assembly is most undesirable as it inducesabnormal wear and tear on the equipment. Hunting movement of the casterwheel assembly referred to in the forgoing is pronounced in instanceswhere the caster wheels are being pushed as is the case with theapparatus illustrated in the drawings.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention each caster wheelis provided with brake means that resists pivotal movement of the casterwheel assembly about the vertical axis. The brake means maybeincorporated in new machines or retrofitted to existing equipment.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a conventional pivotal connection of the casterwheel assembly to the forwardly projecting strut and FIGS. 4 to 7illustrate the same but with a unit 400 mounted on the strut andprojecting upwardly therefrom. The unit 400 is provided in accordancewith the present invention and the purpose thereof is to apply a brakingforce resisting pivotal movement of the caster assembly and therebyinhibit the previously described ‘hunting’.

The caster wheel assemblies 220, 230 are the same and therefor only onewill be described hereinafter and in limited detail as these assembliesare known in the art.

The caster wheel assembly 230 comprises a fork 231 having a wheel 232jounalled thereon. A shaft 233 projects upwardly from the fork and isjounalled by suitable bearing means in a vertically disposed tubularportion 212A on the end of the strut 212. Obviously the tubular portion212A can be manufactured as a separate element and secured to the strut(or equivalent thereto) in any convenient manner. The shaft 233 has aspacer 234 thereon, or incorporated therein, that provides a shoulder onthe upper end thereof for engagement with an end thrust bearing on thelower edge of the tubular portion 212A. The shaft extends upwardlythrough the tubular portion 212A and a another bearing proximate theupper end of the tubular member 212A. The shaft 233 extends on throughthe bearing and a short distance beyond the member 212A terminating inan upper free end 235. The caster wheel assembly 230 described to thispoint is conventional and maybe found on a conventional hay rake.

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7 the unit 400 has an open ended outer sleeve401 with respective upper and lower ends 402, 403. The inner diameter ofthe sleeve approximates that of the outer diameter of the verticallydisposed strut tubular end portion 212A An upper portion of tubularmember 212A projects into a lower end portion of the sleeve 401 and theyare fixedly joined together as by welding or the like. A notch 404 inthe sleeve extends upwardly from the bottom end 403 to receive therein aportion of the strut associated therewith (see FIG. 5). The wall of thesleeve has a pair of slots 405 disposed opposite one another andlongitudinally along a major portion thereof.

As best illustrated in FIG. 8, a braking assembly 420 is removablylocated in the sleeve and includes a metal plate 421 with a brake pad422 fixed thereto and located on the lower surface thereof. The plate421 has lugs 423, 424 projecting from opposite sides thereof. The brakepad is disposed in the sleeve 401 in abutting relation with the upperend 235 of the shaft 233 and the lugs 423, 424 of the plate 421 to whichthe brake pad is attached project through a respective one of the pairof elongate slots 405. The top end of the sleeve is closed by an end cap426 projecting into the sleeve and anchored in place by a plurality ofset screws 427 threaded through the side wall of the sleeve andprojecting into a respective one of a plurality of recesses 428 in aside edge of the cap.

Pressure is applied to the brake element via a compression spring 430having one end thereof abutting a washer or plate 431 located on theunder side of the end cap 426 and the other end engaging a forcetransfer unit. The force transfer unit includes a sleeve 441 having aflange 442 on one end thereof and which abuts against the plate 421. Thesleeve 441 is open at the upper end thereof and receives therein a rod445 that has the upper end thereof abutting against the lower end to thecompression spring.

The braking force being applied to the shaft 233 can be adjustablyvaried by changing the pressure applied by the compression spring 430.For this purpose a bolt 450 is threaded though the end cap 426 and has aleading end engaging the washer 431. Turning the bolt changes the springpressure and the bolt can be locked in the desired adjusted position bya lock nut 451.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness ofunderstanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom, for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in theart based upon more recent disclosures and may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

1. A rotary type rake comprising a rigid, generally horizontallydisposed, frame assembly; rotary raking elements mounted on said frameand being moveable from one to the other of a raking position to rakematerial on the ground into a windrow and a retracted raised travelingposition, a pair of caster wheel assemblies supporting a portion of saidframe and disposed in spaced apart relation with respect to one another,said frame having a distal end remote from said wheel assemblies,coupling means on said distal end of said frame detachably securing thesame to a front end loader mounted on a tractor, and wherein each saidcaster wheel assembly incorporates therein means restraining oscillatorymovement of the caster wheel assembly as the rake travels during usethereof.
 2. A rotary type rake comprising a rigid, generallyhorizontally disposed, frame assembly with coupling means on a distalthereof for detachably securing the same to a front end loader mountedon a tractor, rotary raking elements mounted on said frame and beingmoveable from one to the other of a raking position to rake material onthe ground into a windrow and a raised retracted traveling position, apair of frame supporting caster wheel disposed in spaced apart relationwith respect to one another and said distal end of the frame, meanspivotally mounting said caster wheel assemblies on the frame for pivotalmovement about a generally vertical axis and brake means on each ofrespective ones of the pair of caster wheel assemblies providing a forceresisting pivotal movement of the caster wheel assembly about thevertical axis associated therewith.
 3. A caster wheel assembly for useon an implement, said caster wheel assembly including a fork having aground engaging wheel journal led thereon, a shaft projecting upwardlyfrom said fork, a housing fixedly securable to a frame portion of saidimplement, means pivotally mounting said shaft on said housing forpivotal movement about a generally vertical axis when the assembly islocated in situ on the implement and brake on said assembly providing aforce resisting pivotal movement of the caster wheel assembly about thevertical axis associated therewith.